Tuesday’s class was by far my favorite class of the semester thus far. Tuesday’s class opened my eyes to how truly insane war is, and how messed up my view of other people and their actions can be solely based on my location in the world. I knew that there was a war raging in Iraq, however I never fully understood why. Weapons of mass destruction, oil, attempting to change the government and bringing peace were all thrown out as the purpose of the war but it is clear to me now the true reason. Oil. Oil and angry Americans is what started the war. We wanted Iraq’s oil, and we were also upset and scared after the bombing of the Twin Tower on September 11th. These are the reason we raged war. And after we invaded Iraq for these reasons, it would only make sense that the Iraqi people would get angry at us, so they fought back. They fought back and started to kill and imprison us. These are the stories and statistics we are told. How many Iraqi people kill one of our soldiers, but rarely how many of our soldiers kill Iraqi civilians. We have hatred for the Iraqi people because they are counteracting a greedy attack we made on them. This makes no sense to me. Why doesn’t everyone know this? Why doesn’t every single American know how backward we are, and that our anger is displaced? The Iraqi people have the right to be mad at us. I am not saying that the Iraqi people have the right to be angry at American soldiers, because they are simply doing their job, but America as a whole? Absolutely. My view of war changed, because it is now even more blurred. War is a vicious cycle of displaced anger and violence. The Iraqi people should be angry with the American government, however they are so angry that they will take their anger out on any American, even an American soldier following blind allegiance. Likewise American people are angry with the Iraqi people for fighting back and killing and bombing American soldiers. Americans are not putting into perspective what we are doing to the Iraqi people, and how if we were put into the position they are in we would most likely do far worse. My view on war has changed immensely and I am happy and sadden by this fact. As long as there is money, there will be war. Every war is unfair, mostly unexplainable and always money driven. My heart and prayers go out to the people of Iraq, and also our American soldiers who are putting their lives on the line, and killing others, because we have a selfish country.

I have learned many things from the Penn State scandal. One of them being that unfortunately bad actions affect more people, and live longer than good deeds. In our world good is expected, and bad things are newsworthy. So, events like the candle light vigil, although reported by the media, was not as widely covered, as was the riot on Beaver Ave, because it is less interesting. The fact that evil lives longer than good is a depressing thought indeed, however it is a truth that cannot be changed as a whole. The only thing we can do to try to not have evil person’s live forever is to make a personal choice to forget what they have done and refrain from gossiping about such people. Another thing I have learned from the scandal is that going to a big university, or being part of a big loyal community means that you have a greater risk of someone in your beloved community making a mistake that could taint the community’s reputation. This is just a fact of numbers, the more people you surround yourself with as being part of your “family” the more chance you have of getting a bad egg. Penn State had to unfortunately learn that the leaders in the one thing they held so prestigious, Penn Sate football, were mostly all bad eggs. However, even though there is more room for error with a community of more people, the bigger the community, the easier it is to rebuild. Penn State is a gleaming example of this. Although at first the Penn State student body was furious, after we saw the terrible image we portrayed of Penn State and how we totally missed who the real evil man was, and the true victims were, we started to rebuild. Starting with coming together at the candle night vigil, and continuing by being respectful and courteous at the football game, Penn State is starting to rebuild. The final thing I have learned from the Penn State scandal is that titles are just titles, and procedure should not mean a thing when a person’s life is being abused in front of your face and on your watch. Although the colleagues of Sandusky did follow legal procedure, they were not nearly as urgent as they should have been to put a stop to his abuse. In my eyes when people, especially children, are being victimized it should not matter if you are the President of the United States, a student, or homeless, you have a moral obligation as a human being to stop it. Through this scandal at Penn State I have learned that rebuilding something broken takes time, but it is indeed possible. I have also learned that if I am ever caught in the predicament the Penn Sate football coaches, and staff were involved in, I should screw procedure and legal obligation and stick to moral dignity.

I am not the typical Penn Stater. No one in my family went to here except for me, Joe Paterno was never my idol, and my room was never covered in Penn State merchandise. I was in fact slightly embarrassed to be attending Penn State, because where I am from the moment you say you are going to, or already attend Penn State people roll their eyes. They mock you with chants like WE ARE, and say that you are going to drink the Penn Stater Kool-Aid and become obsessed with Penn State. I did not want to turn to a brainwashed Penn State fan when I came here. I felt slightly out of place the moment I came here, because I seemed to be the only person who did not drink the Kool-Aid. Do not get me wrong I still love the friends I have made here and my experience in college thus far, I just am not obsessed with Penn State pride. This being said, I think I am one of the few Penn State students that can hold an unbiased opinion about all of the events that have happened in the past few weeks. The world now views Penn State students as football obsessed, blind, crazy fans that care more about their head coach being fired then the victims of the molestation and rape. I do not want to generalize, but this stereotype that Penn State student now have in the eyes of the world is completely accurate for a majority of Penn State students. I thought that I was embarrassed to go to Penn State before, but after the riot on Wednesday I literally wanted to transfer schools. We were more upset that Joe Pa was fired then the fact that innocent boys were targeted, victimized and scarred for life. I was one of the few students that refused to attend the riot even to just witness the madness. There was no way I was going to a riot that supports something and someone that I do not, even if it was a historical moment. The comparison Sam made in class really made sense to me. He said that when we witness riots in Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan on the news and we think that they are crazy and immoral, it is just because we are not there and do not know the conditions in which these people are doing this. We do not know the invisible strings that lead these people to do what they do, and we do not know how they view the world and their actions. They might think they are being moral, and faithful to their gods just like the Penn State students who rioted thought that their actions were moral. It is extremely unfortunate that Penn State now has a tainted name and reputation, and that the actions of students in their blind allegiance could affect how future employers and peers view and respect the students of Penn State.

It seems that in the subject of race and political correctness, anyone can and will be offended. There is no way to escape people getting angry, and feeling discriminated against. This video was doomed from the start. Any video that features students promoting any activity or event is subject to criticism. Usually this criticism is not targeted at the students involved in the video, but the person who is directing the video and its context. There is no way that in order to guard the Lion Shrine you have to be white, so people should not be offended that only white people are featured in this video. Maybe this club only had white students in it, how is that their fault? Maybe all of the colored people in the club had better things to do with their time then to make this video. If I were a person of color I would find it more offensive for the producers of the movie to get some random people of color in the movie to make it politically correct. We all know the videos that try to get every person of ethnicity in it to make everyone happy; one white boy, one white girl, one African American boy, one African American girl, etc. The makers of these movies are not fooling anyone, the audience can tell by viewing these videos that they carefully picked the specific actors. I feel as if that is worse then getting random actors to play the roles, or here’s an idea, maybe the people involved in the organization? And not these carefully pulled people who fulfill the requirement for diversity. The producers of this video should not have gone out to find people of color, because that is just plain ridiculous. However, in videos like this everyone should get a fair opportunity to be involved. But, who are we to say that this video did not open up auditions or availability to everyone, and it just so happens that only white people wanted to be involved. Simply put, we do not know. However, we do know when makers of the videos handpick a diverse cast. It is not difficult to see that Penn State is primarily a white campus. Diversity is still present though. So, if we are aware that diversity is on campus, and that we are accepting of all religions, ethnicity, etc. why do we need a diversity friendly video? Yes, I will admit that if I was a person of color I may be offended by this all white video, however looking more deeply into the making of the video there would be no doubt that I would be more offended if people of color had to be found and plopped into the video to avoid any issues.

Race determines everything. I did not realize this until this class. I was not a in stage one of racial identification, but I did not realize how much of an impact race has on people’s lives until Sociology 119. The one lecture that really exemplified this point was free will vs. determinism. I will admit I am guilty of leaning toward the determinism side. I would like to think the best of people, and so I give them excuses as to why they are not living up to their potential or have been caught in a bad situation. However, I never pinpointed exactly what factor played into someone being homeless, addicted to drugs, or unfaithful, because I did not think that far into the situation. I did not want to label them with a specific reason as to how and why they ended up in the particular circumstance they were in, because I was scared. I was scared that if I blamed it on their race, sexuality or intellectual capacity I would be looked at as a racist, insensitive and judgmental. But after the free will and determinism lecture I realized I am allowed to have my own opinions about the why factor, if I am able to admit if I am wrong. Knowing this I am coming to the conclusion that race plays a major factor, if not the only factor in what we accomplish in life and how we view the world. People will always discriminate against people of color unless one day we all become blind. I do not understand why racism and discrimination is present in every area in the United States (I cannot speak for other parts of the world), but sadly this is the reality of the country we live in. So as long as we have this discrimination, people of different races will view the world differently, and for good reason. People of color will encounter discrimination in at some point in their lives. I am not saying white people are never discriminated against, but most of the time this is not a battle we face. And after someone pushes you down so many times, and tells you you cannot do something you begin to believe it and model your life around these ignorant comments and people. So this is why people of color tend to have lower paying jobs than white people, because people of color know that even if they work hard, sometimes people will not give them opportunities, based on their race. So why try, if there is so much potential for unfair treatment. Being white, I have not had to deal with the struggles that people of color have to deal with. So the fact that I am white has shaped my view of the world, because up until this class, where I have learned about the injustices facing people of color, I have seen the world as mostly fair. This is because the world and the people I have encountered in it have treated me fairly. Sadly, I am much mistaken that the world is fair, and being white is why my vision is skewed.

I think the point of this article was to encourage people to not think or strive to be happy, because that just leads to them being unhappy. However, reading an article about happiness made me think about my happiness even more, which is contradictory. I agree when the article mentioned that happiness is a new invention. In the past, surviving was the main goal in life; food, clothing and shelter is all people needed. Nowadays people need not only the healthiest and best tasting food, and the coolest and most expensive clothing and shelter, but also happiness. I feel as though people are looking too hard for happiness, as if it is going to knock on their door one day and then they will become happy. Everything in our world today is about competition, which leads to jealousy. We need to have the most updated smartphones, the best clothes, etc. And when someone thinks they are being beaten in this “competition” they get jealous and by default sad. Recently I heard someone even get jealous of someone’s personality! Someone said, “I am so jealous of her, she is always so happy.” If you want to be happy then be happy you idiot it is really not that hard. Just start smiling more, hating less and being jealous. Start redefining what makes you happy, because I promise you a new purse or car is going to make you happy for five minutes and then you will want more. I am not the happiest person there is, but I try to let the little things bring me happiness. The weather in State College is the most unpredictable thing on the planet; so dressing for the weather is nearly impossible unless you are in the dead of winter. However a few days ago I dressed perfectly for the weather, and that brought me happiness. I was content walking around campus and it brightened my day. And from my experience, after one little thing makes you happy finding happiness in other events and details of the day comes easily. Every point this article made I agreed with. The article made points that sometimes people do not want to admit are true. For example, that money can buy happiness, and that sometimes we can so excited for something and the “happiness” that goes along with it, like a vacation, that the anticipation period becomes more enjoyable than the event itself. I think everyone, especially people who have a comfortable lifestyle, should read this article, because it helped me realize that happiness is short lived and most of the time all around us, but a happy life is something worth living. And happiness is not going to find you, you just have to live your life and hope you enjoy doing so.

If my roommate came out to me on the first day of school I would not have a problem with it. I would obviously be surprised, but I have no problem with people being homosexual, who am I to tell someone how to live? However, I know many people would have a problem with having a gay roommate so I think universities should respect this, for the sake of both parties. A straight person who is not homophobic but gets paired to live with someone who is gay may still feel uncomfortable with the situation, and possibly get a bad experience from the college and choose to transfer. Someone who is homophobic and gets paired to live with someone who is gay could start harassing their roommate and force the roommate to drop out or even do harmful, destructive things like commit suicide. A prime example of this bullying was in 2010 when a gay Rutgers freshman jumped off the George Washington bridge after getting harassed by his roommate. I think if someone wants to be placed with a roommate randomly, they should still be asked whether they would feel comfortable rooming with someone who is gay. I know this would not weed out all gay people, because some people do not come out until they are already in college, however it would still help the situation. As long as my roommate was open to me about their sexuality I would continue to room with them if we had a good relationship. I would still expect the same common courtesy as with any other roommate, while still keeping in mind that they deserve the same treatment as a straight roommate. Although it would take me a little while to get used to my roommate bringing girls over and having sleepovers, I would try to keep an open mind. However, if my roommate knew she was gay, but waited to tell me the middle of the year to tell me, I do not think I would be as open minded. Good roommates need to have open lines of communication, and need to be honest. Although telling your roommate you are gay may be difficult, it is necessary. I would not care that my roommate was gay, but I would care that they lied to me for half the year. I would feel awkward continuing to room with that person because I would constantly be wondering what else they are hiding. Honesty is always the best policy, and I sympathize with people who are gay because they probably think sometimes this is not true. People who are gay wait so long to come out to their friends and family in the fear that they will be rejected. Although this sometimes happens I think most people would rather their friend, family member, or in this case roommate to be honest about who they are, rather than living a lie.

I do not think race has any correlation with drug use. Although we viewed a handful of graphs about how black people are leading in drug use and prison rates for drug use, I still do not think race plays a factor. I think choosing to use drugs goes back to free will and determinism. Being black, white, Asian, Native American or multiracial does not mean you have a higher chance of using and becoming addicted to drugs. It all depends on your economic status, the way you were raised, and the crowd of people you surround yourself with. The one thread every person needs to be able to use illicit drugs, it the ability to buy illegal drugs. Buying illegal drugs means that you need money. So wouldn’t it make sense that only rich people buy and use illicit drugs? No. If someone is addicted to drugs, even if they are homeless and starving, their addiction with domination all other needs. So, economic status really has nothing to do with drug use, the only thing that money effects is the quality of the illicit drugs a person obtains. How someone is brought up will effect how he or she views certain circumstances regarding drugs use. Having strong male and female role models will foster a better sense of self and self worth in a person, and this will lead to, most of the time, no illicit drug use. The crowd of people you surround yourself with, especially during adolescence, strongly effects the decisions you make and how you develop as a person. I feel that how you grow up socially is the largest factor that contributes to drug use. If you grow up with a comfortable amount of money, and a good family life, but get mixed up with a bad crowd in your teenage years you are basically screwed. Your teenage years are the years that you are easily influenced and want to be in the “in crowd,” which means drugs are cool and no big deal. All of these factors are the factors that influence drug use, not race. However, the sad truth about race in correlation with drug use is that race is linked with free will and determinism, and these factors influence the likeliness of drug use. Being born black could influence how much money you make and where you live which then could influence your economic status, family life, and your friends, which effects your likelihood to use illicit drugs. So, I would like to say that if I was a different race it would not effect my decision to use illicit drugs. I would like to say that I would still think drugs are stupid, costly and time consuming. However, the truth is that being born a different race would have affected my life in several ways, and drug use could be one of them.

You can attempt to classify yourself, but at the end of the day, people classify you. We judge people and put them into our own categories all day everyday, and by the same token, they do it to us. These categories are based off skin tone, how we talk, what we are wearing, etc. So, it really does not matter how we classify ourselves, because people will end up stereotyping us, and putting us into false categories without even realizing it. However, if I had the power to choose how I classify myself I would say that I am a suburban Irish college student with a hint of Catholic. I choose to say I am suburban first, because growing up 10 miles from Philadelphia it is easy to get into the habit of saying that I am from Philly. However, I do not think it is fair for me to say this. The truth is I am from a small suburb outside of Philadelphia, and where I grew up and the projects of Philadelphia could not be more different. I was privileged and never had to work for anything besides shopping money. I was downright spoiled, so I cannot truthfully say I am from Philadelphia, even although it sounds cooler, because I do not have the street smarts or the strength to have lived there. I put Irish second when I was classifying myself, because although I am not 100% Irish, Irish is the only type of culture my family and I embrace. We do not make Irish potatoes, travel to Ireland, or know exact cultural practices of being Irish, however my family and I embrace and have the love/hate relationship that most Irish people have. My family is loud and rude, but they are impossible to stay mad at. Also, when my extended family comes into town and we have to decide where we should all reunite, it is usually a bar. I have never been taught to classify myself in one way when it comes to race and ethnicity, because my parents have always seen themselves as American. However, if I had to pick a culture it would definitely be Irish. When I classified myself, I included college student, because I think it is important for people to classify themselves, not only by where they are from and their race, but also by their personal achievement. I am a college student, and for many people in our generation this does not seem like a huge feat, but I am still proud of myself, and think I deserve to include that in my classification. The last thing I classified myself as was a hint of Catholic. I am technically Catholic, but since I do not go to church on Sundays unless I am forced by my mother, and I do not know if I fully believe in any organized religion, I choose to put a hint of Catholic to exemplify my confusion. Although I classify myself as a suburban Irish college student with a hint of Catholic, to other people I could be something completely different.

I tend to avoid subjects that may offend people or step on anyone’s toes, because it just seems more trouble then it is worth. Religion falls under this category. I am the kind of person who over uses the term “I don’t know.” Which I guess is a good thing and a bad thing. For example, today in class when Sam posed the question, “do you believe that the United States government had anything to do with 9/11?” Although I do not think the US government has anything to do with 9/11, I still choose the answer, I do not have an opinion. Why did I do this? I did this because before Sam posed that question I had never really thought about if the government was involved in 9/11, so it was not really fair for me to voice my opinion when I was not as passionate about the subject as someone else in the room. This is the mentality I have when it comes to religion. I grew up in a moderately religious Catholic family. We went to church every Sunday and prayed before bed, however as my sisters and I grew up, these practices diminished. Church was replaced with sports, sleepovers and sleeping in and praying before bed was replaced with different bedtimes, tests and going out with friends. My mom could see that these traditions were been pushed aside, so she made the rule that once you turn eighteen in my house, you can choose whether to attend church. I never hated going to church, however it really never jolted me spiritually either. Church was a routine. We would sing the same songs, recite the same prayers, receive the Eucharist and leave. So, when I turned eighteen I decided to stop attending church unless persuaded by my mom, or if it was a major holiday mass. I wish it were not as easy to have made that decision as it was; I have always wanted to be a very religious person. I am jealous of the people who have a strong faith. People who can wholeheartedly believe in a higher power, the good in all people and to know when you die your going to be saved, without any research or proof to back it up, is pretty remarkable. Sadly, I am not one of these remarkable people. I do not choose a religion at all. When asked what religion I am I respond that I am Catholic, but I do not truly think I am. I do believe however, for my own sanity, that there is something beyond the life we are living right now. There has to be. I could not be able to go through my daily life thinking that this is it. It just would not be fair. Whether it is God who saves us and brings up to heaven, reincarnation or just another state of mind, there has to be something more. That is what I believe, not necessarily an organized religion, but the idea of more.